Hemerocallis plant named ‘Tiger Time’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Hemerocallis plant named ‘Tiger Time’ characterized by its abundant, showy, bright-orange flowers with red markings which are produced on tall-branched scapes. Plants of ‘Tiger Time’ bloom early and repeatedly throughout the growing season. Plants of ‘Tiger Time’ are evergreen and clump-forming, thus, they are attractive in landscapes. The plant grows vigorously and propagates easily by division or tissue culture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofHemerocallis plant, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘TigerTime’. The genus Hemerocallis is a member of the family Liliaceae.

Hemerocallis comprises a genus of approximately 15 species ofclump-forming, herbaceous perennials which are native to central Europe,China, and particularly, Japan. The flowers of Hemerocallis arelily-like and are borne in succession atop tall, frequently-branchedscapes. Individual flowers last one day; thus, Hemerocallis is commonlyknow as ‘Daylily’ in commercial trade.

In recent years, Hemerocallis has been extensively hybridized, and manycultivars exist. Hemerocallis hybrids are hardy spring- andsummer-blooming plants which are particularly well-adapted to landscapeplantings.

The plants form clumps of fan-shaped crowns of vertically-ranked,keeled, strap-like leaves. Plants (individual crowns) range in size fromapproximately 20 cm to over 90 cm in spread. Depending upon theparentage, Hemerocallis hybrids may be deciduous, evergreen orsemi-evergreen.

Hemerocallis hybrids come in a range of colors including orange, yellow,pink, reddish or purplish. The flowers are funnel-shaped or campanulatewith six segments joined at the base into a tube.

Asexual propagation of Hemerocallis is frequently done by division.Propagation can also be done through the use of tissue culturepractices.

The new cultivar ‘Tiger Time’ is a product of a planned breeding programand was originated by the inventor, Matthew Kaskel, from a cross madeduring such a program in Homestead, Fla. in April of 1990. The male andfemale parents are proprietary Hemerocallis selections designated bynumber codes which are maintained by the inventor and used for breedingpurposes only. The selection comprising the new variety was chosen aftercommencement of flowering of the progeny in April of 1991.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by tissue culture and divisionwas performed by the inventor in Homestead, Fla. and has demonstratedthat the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the newcultivar ‘Tiger Time’ are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘Tiger Time’ which in combinationdistinguish this Hemerocallis as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Flowers having three zones of color, which include bright orange witha dark eye zone and a yellow center;

2. Individual scapes are tall and branched with many buds which open insuccession for approximately 4 weeks;

3. Spent flowers shrivel, become inconspicuous, drop from the scapequickly, and do not interfere with the opening of subsequent flowers;

4. Plants rebloom throughout a 90-day blooming season;

5. Plants grow vigorously and propagate rapidly by division and tissueculture; and

6. Plants have evergeen foliage and a clumping habit making themattractive in landscapes even when not in bloom.

‘Tiger Time’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantlywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity,daylength and humidity, without any change in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color photographic illustrations show typicalcharacteristics of Hemerocallis ‘Tiger Time’, with colors being asnearly true as possible with illustrations of this type.

The first drawing shows a 10-month-old plant of ‘Tiger Time’ grown fromtissue culture and flowering in a landscape setting.

The second drawing is a close-up view showing the characteristics of theflowers and scape.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and values describe plantsgrown in Sebring, Fla., under landscape conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in horticultural practice. Colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) ColourChart, except where general color terms of ordinary significance areused.

Classification:

Commercial.—Hemerocallis cv. ‘Tiger Time’.

Parentage:

Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Hemerocallis.

Female parent.—Proprietary selection of Hemerocallis.

Propagation: Vegetative, by tissue culture or division.

Plant:

Form/growth habit.—Clump-forming, fan-shaped crowns of verticallyranked, opposite, smooth, keeled, ligulate leaves.

Height.—Approximately 87 cm to 100 cm including inflorescence.

Width.—Approximately 90 cm to 120 cm.

Foliage:

Size.—Mature leaves are approximately 70 cm to 85 cm long and 3.0 cm to3.5 cm wide (flattened).

Shape.—The leaf blade is ligulate with an acute tip. The margins areentire. The leaves are curved over their length. The leaf is keeled withthe tip slightly twisted and curved downward.

Surface texture.—The leaf blade is relatively thin with a smoothsurface.

Color.—Upper and lower surfaces are dark-green, RHS 137B-C.

Average number.—Approximately 9-10 pairs.

Dormancy.—Plants are evergreen and require no dormant period. If grownin appropriate conditions, plants are capable of growing year-round.

Inflorescence:

Borne.—Flowers are borne in succession with new buds opening daily atopa tall 3- to 4-branched scape. Scapes may produce approximately 28-35buds with each branch having 3-7 buds.

Shape.—Tall, alternately-branched scape.

Buds.—Dimensions: Approximately 8.5 cm to 9.5 cm long and 3.0 cm wide.Color: Basically green, becoming yellower than, but closest to, RHS168C.

Individual flowers.—Number of sepals: three. Number of petals: three.Dimension: The diameter of the flower is approximately 9.0 cm to 10 cm.The sepals are approximately 7.2 cm long and approximately 2.3 cm wide.The petals are approximately 7.2 cm long and approximately 3.9 cm wide.Shape: Funnel-form to campanulate, segments moderately reflexed withage. Petals and sepals slightly wavy along the margins. Color: Uppersurface: Petals are orange, RHS 169B; eye zone is more muted than, butclosest to, RHS 45A; throat is RHS 151A becoming yellow, RHS 21B, tingedwith green. The sepals have a color pattern similar to the petals,however the eye zone colors are less pronounced. Petal mid-vein is RHS170C-170D. The sepal mid-veins are similar in color but less distinct.Lower surface: Petals and sepals are RHS 169C-D; eye zone is afaintly-apparent, dark band; throat is RHS 151A becoming yellow, RHS21B, tinged with green. Texture: Moderately thick; leathery. Quantity:Approximately 28-35 flowers/buds present depending on the size of theplant and inflorescence. Branch spikes contain approximately 3 to 7flowers/buds.

Senescent flower.—Spent flowers collapse and shrivel, becominginconspicuous, eventually falling from the scape in 1 or 2 days.

Scape.—Approximately 82 cm to 100 cm in height and 8 mm in diametermeasured at the midpoint, RHS 146A.

Bracts.—Small leaf-like bracts are present at the junctions of thebranches and the scape and of the flower buds and the scape. The bractsare approximately 6.5 cm in length and 3.0 cm in width, RHS 137B-C.

Time of blooming.—In mature plants, flowering begins approximately earlyin the spring (mid-March in Sebring, Fla.).

Duration of blooms.—Individual flowers last 1 day, and the totalduration of flowering is about 90 days with subsequent scapes appearingthroughout the season.

Fragrance.—Slight.

Reproductive organs:

Ovary.—Superior, oblong, 7 mm long and 4 mm wide, RHS 146D.

Pistil.—9.1 cm long and 1.5 mm wide, RHS 23B.

Stamens.—Six present; filament is 4.2 cm long and 2 mm wide, RHS 21A.

Anthers.—6 mm long, black to brown in color.

Pollen.—RHS 23A.

Seed characteristics:

Seed capsule.—Oblong, three chambers, 2.9 cm long and 2.2 cm wide, RHS137B-C.

Fertility.—Capable of producing viable seeds and pollen.

Roots: Very thick, fleshy white roots with fine laterals.

Cultural:

USDA Zone.—Grows and blooms best when grown in USDA Zones 6 to 11.

Disease/pests: No unusual susceptibilities. Aphids may infest plantsduring winter months.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hemerocallis plant named‘Tiger Time’ as illustrated and described.